Shih Cheng-Hsuan (石澄璇) and Thailand’s Chonlada Chayanun will move into Friday’s final round in the lead at the KENDA Tires TLPGA Open, with both players sitting on 6-under 138.

Hanna Chen (陳子涵) shot a low-round 68 to complete Friday’s final group line-up. The Taichung-native was just one stroke behind at 5-under 139. Chen Hsuan (陳萱) (69) rose into striking distance after carding four birdies and one bogey today to be in equal fourth with Preenaphan Poomklay (70). She needed just 24 putts.

Overnight leader Shih Cheng-Hsuan shot four birdies and three bogeys to preserve her position, although it is now shared with Chayanun. In fact, Shih built a four-stroke advantage at the turn, after birdying no.2, 7, 8, and 9 and committing only one bogey on the 5th hole. However, Shih lost her focus on the back nine to fall back to 6-under.

“I didn’t sleep very well last night. I got a little tired toward the end of the day. I’m going to have a good night’s sleep and come back strong tomorrow in the final,” Shih said.

With three birdies and zero blemish on Thursday, Chayanun moved from equal third to the top of the leaderboard. On her sixth season on the TLPGA Tour, the 30-year-old Thai has held one TLPGA Tour victory at the CTBC Ladies Open in 2018; meanwhile, she is a four-time champion on her home tour.

Hanna Chen showcased her precision touch on the greens today to card six birdies and two bogeys. “It’s been a difficult few months for me because of a back injury. I’m really happy with the way I played today,” said Chen, who usually brings high quality golf at the Taifong Club. This will be the third time in her career to be playing in the final group of the KENDA event.

The NT$3 million KENDA Tires TLPGA Open celebrates its 10th anniversary since it was first staged in 2013. After the completion of 36 holes today, a cut was made to give only 59 players who were on 7-over 151 or better the final-round tickets.

The final-round play will start at 7:30 Friday morning, with the leaders’ group teeing it up at 9:00 a.m..

The competition layout this week is set at 6,304 yards. Hole-in-one prizes from BESV E-Bike, EAGLE Golf, SAMPO, and Departure are still up for grabs on Hole 2, 8, 12, 15 respectively.

KENDA captures about 85% of the world’s market need for golf cart wheels. The Changhua-based company started to provide sponsorship supports to professional golfers in 2003. In KENDA’s 50th anniversary in 2013, the first KENDA Tires TLPGA Open was staged.